Page 30 of Claimed By the Wolf
CHAPTER 8
BRYNN
No. Oh no. This isn’t happening. This has to be a bad dream.
My brother’s panther eyes flash green, then gold, his head turning into a sleek black form as he falls onto all fours, ready to attack.
Desperately, I whip my head toward Nox, but his gaze locks with my brother’s. To my chagrin, Nox shifts too, the pair squaring off in their animal forms.
“Stop!” I cry out.
The idea that they might fight over what just happened is appalling.
Connor releases a low whistle and stalks into the house with a snide laugh, but his uneasiness is tangible. He doesn’t want to choose between the Alpha and his packmate, not in a situation like this. But he’s pissed off, too.
“I guess your sister’s all right,” Connor tells Brax sarcastically, eying me with venom in his eyes. “In fact, I’d say she’s better than all right. She’s fucking the Alpha.”
Nox whips his attention toward Connor and snaps his teeth.
He recoils, his hands up. “What the hell did I do?”
I wither under his stare, but Nox stands protectively between us, his paws extended as if he’s ready to pounce if Brax steps one foot closer.
“Please!” I beg my brother. “Let’s just talk?”
Brax finally tears his furious expression from Nox’s, and in tandem, they morph back into their human forms, but the cloud of suspicion remains between them as Connor tosses Brax the tatters of his ripped pants. Nox finds his shredded clothes, and I exhale.
“What the fuck is this?” Brax spits out, his hazel irises popping as his nose raises, understanding flooding his face.
The air is thick with our combined scent, our mate bond undeniable.
“Are you fucking kidding me? The two of you?” Brax roars.
Connor wrinkles his face in unison. “Dammit, Nox!” he curses, looking over his shoulder.
Brax closes the front door quickly, and I step back, cinching my robe around my waist tightly.
“What about Emeric? What about Willow Grove?” Connor yells. “Are you trying to start a war?”
“Get dressed,” Nox orders me.
I swallow thickly, hurrying back toward my bedroom to put some clothes on. But I keep the door open to listen, my head spinning in the aftermath.
“You’re fated mates?” Brax chokes.
Haphazardly, I dress, barely noticing what I’m putting on as I keep one ear to the door.
“How long have you known?” Brax demands. “How could you just give her to Emeric?”
“Slow down!” Nox grumbles. “Connor. Go wait outside.”
Connor mutters something I can’t hear, but before the front door opens again, Nox’s voice whips out. “And don’t even think about calling anyone to let them know about this.”
“Obviously, I won’t tell anyone,” Connor barks back defiantly. “But do you really think everyone isn’t going to find out? I can smell it all over you both! There’s no way in hell you’re hiding this shit from the pack, or from Emeric.”
“Show some respect!” Nox hisses.
I finish dressing as fast as I can. The tension in the house is reaching a palpable level.
